Just some thoughts on the past. Comment/Suggestions encouraged. Thanks, Tom



My Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Electric guitar

Piano Loop

RealTracks in song: ~519:Bass, Electric, Pop HalfNotes Ev 120
( Held box checked )



http://tommyadamsmusic.com/music


http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=13227391




The Simple Things

My father called it common sense the gift he gave to me
the important little lessons in my life
he always seemed to know I had to find out on my own
how to tame those wild emotions inside
Now I find myself looking back and the only thing i see
is the future ain't what it used to be
It's a different world we're living in Is it better I don't know
It’s the simple things that I miss the most


We weren't anything like rich and We were never poor
everything was easier back then
whenever I went out to play I’d usually be gone all day
A child just as Wild as the wind
Reluctantly i settled down got caught up in the race
now this house no longer feels like home or the memories of that place
It's a different world we're living in is it better i don’t know
It’s the simple things that I miss the most

In this age of information a world that never stops
facts and figures float across my mind
I know everything that I'm supposed to know
and if I don’t I can pull it up in record time
Will we take all this knowledge to the problems that we face
It's a long hard road were looking at without wisdom and a little bit of grace
It's a different world we're living in is it better i don’t know
It’s the simple things that I miss the most

I find myself looking back and the only thing i see
is the future ain't what it used to be
It's a different world we're living in Is it better I don't know
It’s the simple things that I miss the most

©2015 Thomas Adams

Hello,

great song,
very intimate melody.
Great voice on the piano background.

Very nice.

Sergio.

Tom,

I've listened to that opening phrase a dozen times. The side-by-side of guitars and piano is spectacular!

Your writing is going through the roof! I'm reminded of Tom Douglas...Allen Shamblin... If I were to copy my favorite lines, it would pretty much be the whole song. The melody deserves as much recognition as the lyric.

Not to mention your vocal...well, okay, let's mention that... So very perfect for this song. A delight to listen to.

Back-to-back #1's. What's in the water down there???? Send me some!!!

floyd

Hi Tommy,

what a great write. And so beautifully
delivered. Great voice and harmonies.
I like your modest arrangement and
really enjoyed my listen.

Guenter

I'm just getting to know you Tom and I like what I hear. Great production on all aspects. Some do not like the vocals in your face but I certainly do and that is the first thing that I liked about your song.
The only thing that I would like to hear is more of the harmony voice.
Sonny

How life shapes us. Just perfect.
Rob

Delightful Tom. Brings back good feelings to me.
Beautifully done. Maybe a bit Tom T Hall. Excellent harmonies. Cheers.

Adding to what Floyd said, I'd like to mention that chord progression! The way it interacted with the piano RT in terms of the embellishments when you weren't singing... Wow! it had the same effect on me as the piano accompaniment to Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me"...

I thought that was a very thought provoking and touching work. I'm very, very impressed!

You're turning out some amazing stuff lately. Really enjoyed this.

Charlie

Will we take all this knowledge to the problems that we face
It's a long hard road were looking at without wisdom and a little bit of grace

WOW, that just killed me!!!

I had copied the "We weren't anything like rich" for 4 lines to paste but then I was knocked out by the lines above. Being a tech moron, I couldn't do both. This is absolutely wonderful! I'm not sure if you have a bigger fan than me but they can't be much bigger. This may be your best (though I just listened again to "Damn it sure is hot" and love that as well). I'm often criticized and mocked for my worrying about the future and longing for elements of the past, and in that regard it feels good to have a kindred spirit. THanks! You are an amazing person, Tom, and an amazing writer. I'm loving what you're doing! Take care. Greg

Got so caught up in my love of the song that I forgot to mention the arrangement and vocals. Loved the sparse arrangement (PERFECT) and there's no one alive who could have sung this better!! Take care. Greg

Tom,

Beautiful and touching. Excellent vocal and crisp production as always.

Bob

Tom,

That is so beautiful.


Your voice, the sparseness of the music and the haunting lyrics just make this so absolutely wonderful.

As floyd said, what is in that water? send me some as well please.

You raise the bar EVERY song you write, tremendous

Alyn

Thanks Serg, I appreciate your comments. Tom floyd, Thanks for another great review. I can't ask for more than that. Tom Thanks Guenter, Your continued support means a lot to me. Tom

Really well done.

I too love the way you write. You generally have something interesting to say. Even if it's just a simple thing.

Nice. If you're not already, you should be placing these songs with libraries for film and TV.... I could hear this and some of the others you've written playing in a movie somewhere.

Was that piano a RT or something else?

I'll start with the melody - wow! And then everything else is just as good.

I love what you're doing with the vocal in the mix (and the whole mix)!

Great everything!

A great and beautiful write, excellent performance, love the melody.

Kenny

Hey Sonny, Thanks for the nice comments. The harmony is intentionally kept at a low volume. The new country stuff on the radio these days has the harmonies just peeking out as opposed to a full blown Eagles background. I guess it has rubbed off on me. Just a personal preference. Tom Rob, That is a great comment. Thanks, Tom Richard, Glad you liked it. Tom

"I find myself looking back and the only thing i see
is the future ain't what it used to be..."



Great line, Tommy. Enjoyed this one a lot.


Regards,

Bob

This gave me the shivers Tommy. I beautiful song beautifully realised. I loved the finely crafted lyrics. And I loved how it said what it wanted to say and gently ended. The whole thing is as perfect as it gets.

John

Hi Tom,

This is a beautiful ballad and your playing is sublime.
The lyrics will speak to the heart of everyone above let's say 45 or so?

Rob and Anne-Marie

John articulated it better than we could imagine. Your ability to write so well about life and reflections on life is an amazing gift. There's always something in your lyrics that just about anybody could hang their hat on. So many writers just can't do this. They sound over wrought or maudlin or too deep in drama land, etc. You just hit that sweet spot. And as Janice often says your lyrics just sing.

Congrats on a fine production which includes the above PLUS the perfect vocal and guitars.

J&B

very nice song, I envy your voice. To be able to both write songs and sing them well is a talent I lack.

Poignant - nicely arranged and performed. The acoustic guitar sounds really nice - any tips on how did you recorded it?

Thanks Pat, Much appreciated as always. Tom Charlie, That is a wonderful compliment. Thank You. Tom Brother Greg, You have managed to capture the essence of this song. Worrying about the future while longing for the past. Perfect observation. Thanks for all the wonderful things you have said about my songs. Tom

I really like this one, Tom.

So well written, and superb performance...

Bob, Glad you liked it. Tom Thanks Alyn. I always look forward to your uplifting comments. Tom Thanks Herb. I appreciate the kind words. The piano was a loop. Tom

I agree with what others have already said. Gorgeous production and sound, but the the lyrics and vocals stick out for me. Very powerful. By the way, the guitar playing on all of your songs is great.

Hey Tom,

You'd be the one to write this tune. The future that used to be? It arrived, man.

One question: The piano. It isn't listed as a RealTrack and doesn't sound like one. Is that you? If so, it fits like a glove.

Beautiful treatment.

Dean

Lawrence, Thanks for coming by and leaving the nice comments. Appreciated. Tom Kenny, Thanks for the thumbs up. Tom Bob, Glad you liked it. Tom We don't use the word shivers much way down south here in the heat. I sure am glad you chose to use it here. You made my day John. Thanks, Tom

Wow... very good!

I tend to dislike music like this (well, mostly the lyrics) because it makes me sad. Your piece is no exception. It reminds me we're growing older and now has one day less than we had yesterday to be with those we love.
Pure heart-ache.

But you sing it so fantastic that I have to say this is simply perfect.
I won't listen to it again, because you almost made me cry just now. Only really really good music can do that.

Beautiful (your song) and absolutely awful (the feelings and emotions it evokes in me) at the same time.

I hear a lot of music daily that has no or only little soul, but this song certainly is in touch with something bigger.

Good job!

Thanks, Unfortunately 45 is a distant memory. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Tom Will, Thanks and I don't feel you are lacking at all in the talent department. Tom Peter, Thanks and the acoustic is recorded with the same mic as the vocals-Audio-technica AT 4033a. A little EQ and compression. Tom Curt, Glad you stopped in for this one. Thanks for the nice words. Tom

Everything about this one is professional! The mix, the instrumentation and your vocals were perfect. But it is the lyrics that really moved me. Kinda like been there done that!

Super job!

David, thanks for the kind words. Tom Dean, You're right the future is here now. The piano is a loop. Thanks, Tom

JEL, I am really glad you took the time to comment. I am pleased it touched you. Tom

Thanks much Mario. I am always glad to hear from you. Tom

Hi Tom.

What a wonderful sound. Now that's what stereo is all about - such a big, BIG sound from only a few instruments and that swirl of music which envelops you without sounding to come from any particular direction.

And what a fabulous song, too. Just got to listen to that again. Excellent, Tommy!

ROG.

TommyAD, I don't know anyone who's been on this planet awhile who couldn't identify with this song.
Sounds great to me!

ROG, Thanks for mentioning the sound stage. Glad you liked it. Tom
Glad you made it Josie. Thanks for your kind words and ongoing support. Tom

Tom,

I'm blown away.... stunning songwriting, stunning arranging, magnificent performance. I bet if you played this song out live, everyone would stop and listen. It's one of those songs that grabs hold and doesn't let go till the end. You'd hear a pin a drop when this was performed.

It reminded me of the song below...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZkrU4KbPbY

... for me, when Sam Kelly sang this, time stopped (just like the audience). Your song did the same.

From a lyric point of view, I really, really like the rhetorical question "Is it better?" followed by the answer "I dunno". This is such a strong writing technique. I haven't been aware of hearing it before in a song and I haven't come across it in any books. I've been sitting here trying to recall lyrics that have used this approach and my mind is blank. Absolutely outstanding work.

All the best,
Noel

Noel, Thanks for the magnificent review. Now I'm the one who is blown away. I always look forward to what you have to say and I frequently learn something useful and new. I will listen to the Sam Kelly song later when I have time to absorb it as I am out the door to work now. Thanks again, as you have done many times before, you have made my day much better. Tom